Impact of Information and Communication Technologies

Posted on Dec 12, 2024 in Electronics

The Impact of Information and Communication Technologies

The company is transforming itself into what has been called the Information and Knowledge Society, which is characterized by the presence of technologies in everyday life, such as:

  • Computers
  • PDA phones
  • GPS
  • And others

Information Technologies: Definition

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) include those that electronically store, create, retrieve, and transmit information in large quantities at high speed. They include the joint use of computers, microelectronics, and telecommunications as tools to obtain, store, distribute, produce, manipulate, process, and transmit information in an increasingly safer, faster, and more economical way. In recent years, there has been a dramatic expansion of these technologies due to:

  1. The evolution of computers.
  2. The emergence of computers in all areas (administration, commerce, industry, education, research).
  3. The use of multimedia technology.
  4. The emergence of the modem (enables communication between PCs).

Expansion of Technology

  • The advance of telecommunications (appearance of digital telephone networks, fiber optics, artificial satellites, etc.).
  • The appearance of the information superhighway (Internet).
  • The widespread use of the information superhighway (possible new forms of entertainment, messaging, telemedicine, telecommuting, access to information).
  • The appearance of new technologies for mobile phones (WAP, GPRS, UMTS, HDPA, 3G, and 3.5G).

The development of information technologies has also been named the Third Industrial Revolution. This technological revolution is intimately related to trends in the development of computers.

First Generation (Mid-Twentieth Century)

  • Electron tubes
  • Large computers
  • Vulnerability (they break down easily)
  • High costs

Second Generation (1950-1960)

  • Advent of the transistor and fiber optics
  • Lower consumption
  • Fewer breakdowns
  • Lower manufacturing costs

Third Generation (1960)

  • Emergence of the chip and integrated circuits
  • 1st commercial satellite
  • 1st live TV transmission
  • Use of fiber optics in telephony
  • ARPANET (the U.S. Defense Department)

Fourth Generation (1970)

  • Appearance of microprocessors
  • First pocket calculator
  • Personal computers
  • Internet

Fifth Generation (2000)

  • Artificial intelligence and nanotechnology

In the 1980s

  • Internet use in university settings
  • Appearance of digital music CDs
  • Use of PCs in offices
  • Use of storage units (3 1/2″ and 5 1/4″ floppy disks)

In the 1990s

  • Hispasat, the 1st Spanish communication satellite
  • Internet usage in the business world
  • ISDN and ADSL technologies

Since 2000

  • Wireless technology
  • New developments in ICT

Telecommunications

It is the transmission (emission or reception) of signals, or general information of any kind, between two or more distant points.

Technologies: cable, fiber optics, satellite, radio waves, etc.

Artificial Intelligence

Developing and using computers that attempt to replicate the processes of human intelligence.

Activities that we associate with human thought processes, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and learning.

Nanotechnology

It is the study, design, creation, synthesis, manipulation, and application of materials, equipment, and control systems using the search function of matter at the nanoscale, and the exploitation of phenomena and properties of nanoscale material.

Home Automation

  1. Union of the words “home” (domus) and “informatics.”
  2. It, therefore, refers to software systems that will allow management to control and improve housing quality of life issues such as:
  3. Thermal control systems
  4. Control of communications
  5. Security system
  6. Fire and gas leak detectors
  7. Leisure planning
  8. Control devices, electrical, blinds, etc.

Opportunities and Risks of ICT

  1. The information and knowledge society is characterized by handling large amounts of data across different media: newspapers, radio, TV, and communications.
  2. With a simple computer (PDA, phone, etc.) with Internet access, one can access multiple interactive services:
  3. Telebanking
  4. Teleshopping
  5. Telecommuting
  6. Tele-education
  7. Telemedicine

Advantages of This Information Society

  1. Eliminates geographic barriers
  2. Enables collaboration between researchers
  3. Allows access to basic schooling, university, etc.
  4. Collaboration between surgeons in surgical operations
  5. Social networking: Wikis, blogs, Tuenti, etc.

Disadvantages

  1. Social imbalance due to the provision of computers
  2. Deterioration of human relationships, isolation from the computer
  3. Heavy reliance on computers
  4. False and unverified information

Scientific Applications of ICT

Scientific development in areas such as medicine, biology, pharmacology, and other disciplines has been linked to these latest advances:

  1. Informatics
  2. Information technologies
  3. Communications